Yet another opinion needed.....

I've tried the "search" function on here to no avail, so once again I'm gonna throw this out there: I'm looking for a higher proof whiskey, and my local retailer has a couple of bottles of the Thomas Handy Rye, around 67.3%, available for $80. Never tried a flat-out rye, so would this be a worthwhile purchase? I will grab it tomorrow if you guys give me the thumbs up. I am quite anxious to try this beast.

Re: Yet another opinion needed.....

If you are afraid of over spending you can always add 259ml of water to that bottle of Handy and you'll have 1 litre and 9ml of 100 proof rye whiskey.
Or get a bottle of Rittenhouse Rye BIB for around 22 bucks.
Me? I like Handy, it's worth it.

Re: Yet another opinion needed.....

I had a similar debate. I passed up a THH last night, just couldn't bring myself to pay that much for what seems to basically be uncut baby Saz. The bottle had been sitting on the shelf for 4 months or so, i figure if i change my mind in the next few weeks it will most likely still be there.

Re: Yet another opinion needed.....

Yeah Smoke, me too. It's actually been on the shelf for some time now, which seems unusual for such a well known, high priced whiskey. That's why I was a bit hesitant to buy. Maybe not a fair gauge, but if it's that easily available, still, is there maybe a reason?

Re: Yet another opinion needed.....

Originally Posted by OscarV

If you are afraid of over spending you can always add 259ml of water to that bottle of Handy and you'll have 1 litre and 9ml of 100 proof rye whiskey.
Or get a bottle of Rittenhouse Rye BIB for around 22 bucks.
Me? I like Handy, it's worth it.

Originally Posted by Josh

I love Oscar like a brother. But I disagree. I don't think it's worth it. Buy a couple bottles of Saz Jr instead.

Originally Posted by OscarV

Does BT have 2 rye mashbills?
In spite of the proof Saz and Handy seem different.

Love Handy but haven't been able to choke down an open bottle of Saz Jr in more than a year. And my little synchrony moment here tonight...had a pour of Saz Jr before reading this thread (even thought about dumping it after a few sips but then my East European genes kicked in) and then started digging through the basement boxes to open a Handy but first found and opened a Ritt BB instead.

Re: Yet another opinion needed.....

Originally Posted by Painkiller

I've tried the "search" function on here to no avail, so once again I'm gonna throw this out there: I'm looking for a higher proof whiskey, and my local retailer has a couple of bottles of the Thomas Handy Rye, around 67.3%, available for $80. Never tried a flat-out rye, so would this be a worthwhile purchase? I will grab it tomorrow if you guys give me the thumbs up. I am quite anxious to try this beast.

Re: Yet another opinion needed.....

$80 is a bit steep, but if I was completely out of Handy and looking for it - I'd probably pay it. For my palate, Baby Saz doesn't come anywhere close. In fact, I'd trade a Saz 18yr for a Handy - just my flavor preference. That said - if you've never had a rye whiskey before, $80 might be an expensive experiment (says the guy who bought a bottle of Pappy 20 yr without ever having it, just to find I didn't think it was all that!) Can you find any Willett Family Estate Rye in your area? I've bought a 4 yr bottle, 110 proof for $35 which I thought was an amazing rye (and less than half of the Handy). For me, that lines up closer to the flavor profile of a Handy than a Baby Saz.

Gary (aka 'Country')=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
"Too much of anything is bad, but too much of good whiskey is barely enough." - Mark Twain
"Because Whiskey Matters!" - David Perkins